2005-07-29

More holdouts

With the start of training camp comes the list of prominent players holding out for a bigger contract. One of those guys is Chargers tightend Antonio Gates, who took the league by storm last season.

Gates, an undrafted rookie in 2003, set the league record for touchdowns by a tightend in a season, and helped guide the Chargers to a first place finish in the AFC West last season. Two years ago Gates signed a contract for $7,000, but this year he would like a contract in line with some of the best tightends. Todd Heap signed an $11 million deal earlier this year with another $11 million in signing and roster bonuses.

I think Gates is a guy like Javon Walker or Preist Holmes two years ago, somebody who deserves to get paid the big time money. Gates proved he's the best tightend in the league last year, and the Charger should pony up the dineros to keep Gates around and happy.

Besides Gates here is a list of the more prominent (non-rookie) players who are holding out: